The moment we think of acne, picture of a red-spotty faced teenager comes to our minds. Though acne is often associated with teenagers, we have adults in their 30s and even 50s suffering from this disorder. Acne can develop at any age and even in people well above their teens.
Adult acne is usually found in neck, body, chest and shoulders.
Causes Of Adult Acne
Adult acne usually starts with blackheads and then inflamed blackheads that result in red pimples. Often these pimples spread to other areas and develop into whiteheads or pustule. Although it is difficult to chart out the exact causes of
adult acne, current research shows that the following factors could be behind adult acne:
Excessive multiplication of bacteria within the hair follicle.
Blockage of oil releasing pores from the sebaceous glands.
Expansion of sebaceous oil glands.
Adult acne can be caused by several external factors as well like high stress level which results in red spots. Some of the other factors for the development of
adult acne are:
Exposure to greases or heavy oils.
Increased and frequent exposure to ultraviolet rays.
Use of cosmetics containing bromides, iodides, or chlorides.
Acne in women can also be a result of genetic and hormonal changes due to pregnancy or menopause. Some women suffer acne when they stop taking oral contraceptive pills. When one stops using the ill, it causes hormonal changes within the body. The blocked pores that cause
acne are affected by the changes within the body. Under normal circumstances, the ovaries produce the female hormone, estrogen and the male hormone, testosterone. However, it is normal for a woman to have a higher concentration of estrogen than testosterone. Problems develop when one hormone becomes out of balance in a woman and women as a result often develop acne and pimples.
Adult Acne Treatments
There are various types of treatment to solve this problem. Products containing ingredients like benzoyl peroxide, sulfur, retin-a, cleocin-t, accutane, salicylic acid, erthythromyicin, doxycyline and tetracycline can be used to treat acne. Antibiotics can also be taken to treat
acne. However antibiotics could produce some side-effects like dryness, allergy or irritation and therefore it is always recommended to consult the physician before taking any medications.
Skin procedures like microdermabrasion, chemical peels, laser skin resurfacing and laser scar removal can be used for the prevention and removal of acne. Microdermabrasion is effective for removal of mild acne, and hyperpigmentation and improving of the skin texture and opening of the clogged pores. Chemical peel is highly effective for an aging person. More than one million chemical peels were performed in 2005 in the US alone.
Laser treatment is a very fast, effective but expensive treatment of
adult acne.
However, there are few simple steps, if followed, can prevent adult acne:
Limit exposure to ultraviolet rays.
Consult the doctor for hormonal changes.
Use moisturizers to protect skin.
Use non-oily cosmetics.
Do not scrub your face.
Eat a balanced diet.
